The US Open continues as Taylor Fritz faces Frances Tiafoe while Jannik Sinner goes up against Jack Draper in the semi-finals. Damien Kayat previews.
2024 ATP Tour
US Open
USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
Selected SF Matches
6 September 2024
Taylor Fritz 38/100 | Frances Tiafoe 2/1
This could be the most intense atmosphere of the entire 2024 tennis calendar, with two American men squaring off in a US Open semifinal for the first time since Andy Roddick beat Robby Ginepri in 2005.
The winner will become the first American to compete in a Grand Slam final since Roddick lost to Federer at the 2009 Wimbledon Championships (insanity).
Taylor Fritz was utterly exceptional in his ‘grudge’ quarterfinal clash with Alex Zverev, outfoxing the German at virtually every turn to reach a maiden Grand Slam semifinal.
He won 81% of his first-serve points in the match, becoming the aggressor against a surprisingly passive Zverev. He has mixed things up brilliantly in New York, coming to the net often to destabilize his opponents.
The victory improved Fritz’s 2024 record to a stellar 43-16. Fritz has evolved tremendously on the Grand Slam stage this season, reaching the semifinals in Melbourne and London prior to this maiden semifinal run (he is 16-3 at Grand Slam level this year).
Fritz’s semifinal run is really the culmination of what has been a fantastic season. Tiafoe is on the other opposite end of the spectrum. The 2022 US Open semifinalist endured a tepid start to the campaign, losing to opponents that he really had no business losing to (a fact that he alluded to in an interview- much to the chagrin of some).
But the uber-talented Tiafoe suddenly burst into life in Cincinnati, showing his appreciation of slick conditions with a brilliant runner-up finish. And his love affair with Flushing Meadows continues to grow with every passing season.
He reached the semifinals here in 2022 and followed that up with a solid quarterfinal run last year. And he just booked his place in his 2nd US Open semifinal, with Grigor Dimitrov forced to withdraw in the 4th set of their semifinal encounter.
Tiafoe mixed up his game continuously against the Bulgarian, stepping inside the baseline to attack Dimitrov’s serve. Tiafoe won 17 of 31 approaches to the net, showing a willingness to take the initiative in points.
Tiafoe has looked far less convincing than Fritz this fortnight, often oscillating between brilliance and mediocrity. But he has an uncanny ability to play his best tennis in high-pressure moments and he knows exactly how to channel this rambunctious crowd.
The Verdict: Tiafoe to win in four 6/1
Fritz leads the head-to-head 6-1. Intriguingly, Tiafoe won their first meeting at the 2016 Indian Wells Masters. But the gangly Fritz has dominated since then, winning six consecutive hardcourt matches.
If there were the Delray Beach final: I would be inclined to go with Fritz. But there’s just a special alchemy between this arena and Tiafoe. The raucous crowd brings out the elite competitor in Tiafoe. Zverev hung way behind the baseline against Fritz while Tiafoe stepped in to put pressure on the Dimitrov delivery. I just have a feeling that this could be Tiafoe’s time.
Jannik Sinner 1/5 | Jack Draper 7/2
This fortnight couldn’t have gone much better for World No.1 Jannik Sinner. The fact that he’s even competing is a win following those positive doping tests. But he has now progressed to a maiden US Open semifinal (and there’s no Alcaraz or Djokovic lurking in the wings to threaten him).
Sinner is fresh off a roller-coaster four-set win over Daniil Medvedev. It was an error-strewn match that had plenty of baggage attached to it: Sinner came back from two sets down against Medvedev to claim this year’s Aussie Open title.
Sinner expertly exploited Medvedev’s deeper court position, using drop-shots and serve-and-volleys to stay ahead of the game. Sinner won in Cincinnati and is now rocking a nine-match winning streak.
It really feels as if this is his moment. But standing in his way is someone with the type of powerhouse game that can cause problems for the Italian: Jack Draper.
22-year-old Brit Jack Draper has shown major cojones this fortnight, blocking out all the negative press from the Cincinnati debacle to reach his maiden Grand Slam semifinal.
He has obviously benefitted from some shocking upsets this fortnight. Still, he is yet to drop a set in New York, becoming the first man since Medvedev in 2020 to reach the final four unblemished.
And he was in complete control in his quarterfinal clash, mechanically dismantling Alex de Minaur. Draper was characteristically dominant on serve, firing down 11 aces and winning 84% of his first-serve points. He essentially toyed with the Aussie (who seemed to be hampered by injury).
Draper hit 40 winners and committed just 30 unforced errors to become the first British man to reach the semifinals here since Murray in 2012 (the Scot would go on to win the title). Everything about Draper’s run just screams Radacanu in 2021. Draper – like Radacanu back in 2021 – doesn’t seem fazed by the moment and will be relishing this opportunity.
The Verdict: Sinner to win in four 24/10
Draper actually leads the head-to-head 1-0, taking down the Italian in straight sets at the 2021 Queens tournament. This just seems like the smart approach.
Draper hasn’t dropped a set thus far but has hardly had the most taxing draw. Sinner is returning like a beast and won’t be cowered by Draper’s whippy lefty serve. Still, there’s probably some value in Draper nicking one set.
